‘Raging Bull’ Boxer Jake LaMotta Dies At Age 95

Born in The Bronx in New York City in 1922, LaMotta fought 106 times with 83 wins, 19 losses, and 4 draws in both Middleweight and Lightweight divisions. In 1949 LaMotta became the World Middleweight Champion, a title he held until a 1951 loss to Sugar Ray Robinson. By 1954 he was ready to retire. Post-boxing he owned bars and nightclubs and performed as an actor and stand-up comedian.

His 1970 memoir, Raging Bull: My Story, was famously adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro portraying LaMotta. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made.

“Rest in Peace, Champ,” De Niro said in a statement.

Bradford Hornsby is an editor, music writer, web producer, and pop culture blogger for CBS stations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Find him on Twitter at @bradfordhornsby.